Team news: Déise make three changes for crucial Limerick meeting

Shane Bennett of Waterford is tackled by Bryan O' Mara of Tipperary. Pic:  Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Waterford make three changes for their last Munster SHC game against Limerick on Sunday. 

Injured Stephen Bennett, Ian Kenny and Iarlaith Daly are replaced by Reuben Halloran, Shane Bennett and Tadhg de Búrca.

Waterford need to beat Limerick for the first time in the history of the provincial round-robin structure to retain a chance of qualifying from the Munster SHC.

For their clash with Galway in Salthill on Saturday, Dublin make one change from the side that started last Saturday’s Round 3 victory over Wexford. 

Conor Groarke replaces Paddy Doyle in the full-back line while Liam Rushe is set to retain his spot at centre-back.

Although they are to face Kilkenny in Parnell Park the following weekend, manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin insists the county are going all out to win in Pearse Stadium.

“If we win this weekend, we’re through,” he told Dubs TV. “We can talk about looking to next week or two weeks’ time, it doesn’t serve any purpose to us. It’s very clear to us – if we win this weekend, we’re through.

“It’s the same for them but even more in that if they win, they’re in a Leinster final as well. It’s all on the line and that’s what we’re going at.” 

Meanwhile, Dublin have announced the same 15 that began the Leinster semi-final win over Louth for Sunday’s final against Westmeath. Captain Con O’Callaghan and Eoin Murchan are not named in the 26-man panel.

WATERFORD (SHC v Limerick): B. Nolan; A. O’Neill, M. Fitzgerald, J. Fagan; T. de Búrca, P. Leavey, S. Bennett; S. Mackey, R. Halloran; C. Lyons, J. Barron, J. Prendergast; D. Hutchinson, S. Walsh, K. Mahony. 

Subs: A. Reade, C. Keane, B. Lynch, D. Lyons, A. Gleeson, M. Kiely, P. Hogan, P. Curran, S. Fitzgerald, J. Power, C. Treen.

DUBLIN (SHC v Galway): E. Gibbons; C. Groarke, P. Smyth, E. O’Donnell; C. Crummey, L. Rushe, C. Burke; B. Hayes, C. Donohoe; F. Whitely, D. Burke, D. Power; D. Purcell, J. Hetherton, C. O’Sullivan. 

Subs: S. Brennan, D. Lucey, C. Ó Riain, O. Gaffney, C. McHugh, J. Bellew, D. Ó Dúlaing, P, Dunleavy, D. Purcell, P. Doyle, R. Hayes.

LIMERICK (MHC v Tipperary): S. Collins; R. Collins, W. Ryan, S. Mitchell; E. Hennessy, C. Ryan, J. O’Riordan; X. Neligan, J. Roche; D. Crowe, R. Foley, S. Waters (c); E. O’Sullivan, D. O’Grady, D. Long. 

Subs: J. Murray, J.R. O’Reilly, G. O’Brien, J. McCarthy, R. Horgan, D. Glynn, C. Hickey, B. Gavin, C. Butler.

DUBLIN (SFC v Westmeath): E. Comerford; T. Clancy, N. Doran, D. Byrne; S. MacMahon, C. McMorrow, C. Kennedy; P. Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, B. Howard; S. Bugler, N. Scully, C. Kilkenny; P. Small, K. McGinnis, C. Costello. 

Subs: H. O’Sullivan, T. Lahiff, L. Smith, C. O’Connor, C. Murphy, S. Guiden, E. Dunne, P. White, N. O’Callaghan, L. Breathnach, G. McEnaney.